N.Y. Ironman Triathlon May Cancel Hudson Swim Due To Sewage (Page 2)

"Overly dramatized"...sounds a bit judgmental, but that's your view, so that's cool.  

And yes on swimming in the Hudson.  I live quite close by.  

Correct me if I'm wrong Tom, but I'm sure you mentioned in another thread that you still take a pill everyday because of the damage to your GI tract from this incident in 1999. I guess if you want to dismiss that as "getting over it" that's your business. I don't think most people would agree with that.

Yes, all bodies of water have some contaminates in them. Even the most pristine mountain streams are not free of them. The issue is the levels of the contaminates and whether it is safe to swim in them. I think it's irresponsible to simply shrug it off and pretend it doesn't matter. There is a reason they do water tests.

You didn't answer my question. What's the entry fee difference between IMCDA and IMNY?

WTF? An isolated incident into a creek, not a regular happening to intentionally pump sewage into a river where people are and will be swimming. Pretty poor attempt at making a comparison. Plus the likelyhood of swimming into a dead prostitute or wise guy are much less here. Anyway, to each his own.

Well, then that makes sense to me how you'd feel that.. I am from Wisconsin (goal in life is to do the Wisconsin Ironman).

NYC just seems like... super awesome, even if I had to swim in New York quick sand.. the idea of running/biking around in that city, seems super cool...

A fantastic been there, and done that.

I currently live in Florida. The idea of doing the Florida Triathlon for me.. is.. meh...

Yeah, 6 inches of intestines removed after swimming in dirty water. I guess I got over it after the surgery and a few months of PT... oh, except for permanently messed up GI tract.

I'm glad you chimed in. I wasn't going to mention you because you hadn't commented on this thread but I remember your story from the previous thread.

I don't have a dog in this hunt. I'm not doing this race nor do I have any plans to swim in this river. I just think it's wrong to dismiss the importance of the level of contaminates in the water. If the water is tested safe prior to the race then I would have no problem swimming there. I just don't like the cavalier attitude that some have shown towards the importance of the water quality.

Exactly my point! For IMCDA you pay for the entry fee, flight, hotel, car, food etc. For 80% of the people doing IMNYC, they don't have travel, hotel, car or food costs associated with the race. It may seem like it's overly priced, but it's probably cheaper than any other IM based on the racers, who are mostly locals.

I don't think your statement was fair - it's not overly priced when it comes down to it. And I'm no fan of paying big money to race an IM, or NYC, so consider that as well. All in all, I am betting it's cheaper than most!

but for those who LIVE here it is cheaper - no travel cost. but of course the fact that the majority of racers do not have to travel to do this race never crossed your mind I suppose.

Yes, you can say that about any race:

1) That's why I wouldn't post something like "Why would I go to Bozeman Montana for a race, you can do that with your $ if you want to, but I never would".  It comes off as sounding critical of those that do want to race in Bozeman, cause they live there, have family and friends around, etc.

2) I'm pretty sure no other US race is in such a densely populated area, so there are a lot more locals.

3) In an earlier post you said "The last thing the RD wants, I'm sure, is a bunch of sick athletes after, or during the race. Nobody will sign up for next year."  You are wrong here.  You have no Idea how much sh$t New Yorkers will eat/drink/swim in.  Everything is a hassle here and everyone is used to it.  This thing will sell out for as long as they choose to hold it.

REALLY?!....Watching too many Sopranos reruns?....Pretty poor attempt to utilize stereotypes...I have had enough on this topic..I am sure you agree

Perhaps some problems such as diarrhea, vomiting, respiratory infections, ear infections, rashes might be considered "minimal health risk"

But very serious or life-threatening illnesses such as hepatitis and meningitis might occur after swimming in sewage-laced water. Even flesh eating bacteria and MRSA related infections.

So, while it sucks the swim is in jeopardy, it's not a good idea to swim in something like this. Sign of the times. YUCK.

Just a small article from a local news site on the situation:

http://www.silive.com/news/index.ssf/2012/08/sewage_flow_into_hudson_could.html

Wasn't NYC something like $895 and CDA $625?

For the tri folks that live in NYC, which is a lot, this is a lot cheaper and very convenient.  It was a smart move to get into the market.  New Yorkers spend a LOT of money.

I have done a couple of NYC Swims and I did get sick after the Lighthouse 10k swim, but there was a big storm the day before that I am sure dumped a lot into the water.  I think the Hudson is generally safe, but I was not a fan of the time trial start of this race, and in general, cities are going to have issues like this, that make it too risky to sign up for their IM.

It would suck to have the swim canceled in an IM and I sympathize with anyone who is signed up.

^^ This.  Wish everyone, particularly our fellow BTers, the best after all of the hard work they've put in.

Correct me if I'm wrong Tom, but I'm sure you mentioned in another thread that you still take a pill everyday because of the damage to your GI tract from this incident in 1999. I guess if you want to dismiss that as "getting over it" that's your business. I don't think most people would agree with that.

Yes, all bodies of water have some contaminates in them. Even the most pristine mountain streams are not free of them. The issue is the levels of the contaminates and whether it is safe to swim in them. I think it's irresponsible to simply shrug it off and pretend it doesn't matter. There is a reason they do water tests."

You're right on both accounts; I do still have G.I. damage from bad water ingested in a North African country in 1999, and I've been sick from contaminated water in other places too. I don't like it, and I take reasonable steps to avoid it, but those steps don't extend to staying home or completely avoiding potentially (and even obviously) contaminated water.

My ultimate point is; the expectation that waterways around one of the largest cities on earth is clean is unrealistic. I would like it to be clean, but the reality is that it is not clean. That's what we're dealing with. Therefore, the participant- being an intelligent person- makes a decision: do I want to swim in an urban waterway near a major population center or would I limit my individual event participation to waterways that are likely less contaminated?

I guess I am flumoxed by the expectation that the water surrounding Manhattan and New York City is somehow clean. How could it be? It also isn't clean for other very large urban triathlons like Chicago (they have had signs at their swim start with e-coli levels and made participants sign 'at your own risk' disease waivers) and Alcatraz.

The first step to correcting a problem is acknowledging it. Maybe instead of canceling the New York swim we simply have Mayor Bloomberg pre-swim the route, then test him instead of the water.

I think some of that cost was the boats to get people out for the swim start.  I'm betting WTC just pockets that money if the swim is cancelled

The NYC tri still went on without a hitch, and everyone swam in the Hudson.  If for me I would look for another event. The cost of a hotel, food, and transportation alone  would be enough to sign up for 2 IM events.   

However not to take anything away from those racing, I wish them all of the best, and hope all of the hard training pays off. Enjoy the journey!

NYC is a  tough town, its hot, and its dirty, but its the greatest city in the world.